Page 4 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

Sitting next to the boy was a woman of middle age. She was wrapped up against the cold, the hood of her cloak still pulled up over her hair, and her cheeks rosy from the bite of the winter wind.

‘Who are you?’ If he was honest with himself, Tom knew without having to be told at least who the boy was, but his mind was struggling to wade through the shock of seeing the child here.

‘My name is Alessia Endrizzi. You do not know me, but I promised a dear friend to undertake a journey for her, and she assured me we would be well received when we arrived.’

Tom felt his throat closing up and reached to loosen his collar, only remembering he was in his night clothes when his hand touched the soft cotton of his nightshirt.

‘Your friend...?’

The woman smiled kindly and Tom saw the hint of sadness.

‘I have a letter. Perhaps it would be best if you read that first.’

Tom nodded, taking the letter but unable to bring himself to open it for a minute. He stood by the fire one of the servants must have hastily lit when the guests had arrived and stared into the flames, trying to summon the courage to tear open the envelope.

My dearest brother,

How long it has been since I set eyes upon you. Often I think of home, of those childhood days we spent playing together. Always you could make me smile and laugh, even in the most dire of circumstances, and I will be thankful for ever for your love and companionship.

Next comes an apology. I am sorry I left it so long to contact you. I know you would have worried about me, and if I had been a better sister I would have returned sooner, but in truth I have been happy here hidden away in rural Italy. I know you would never have reproached me for my choice and I hope this will make what I ask easier for you.

My husband, my dear Giovanni, passed away three years ago. He has no surviving family and although I am surrounded by good friends I cannot ask of them such a momentous favour.

I am dying. The doctors cannot tell me exactly what is wrong, but I have a large growth in my belly. It is eating away at my life force and soon there will be nothing left of me. I do not have the strength to make the journey home even though I wish I could hug you one last time.

My kind friend, Alessia, offered to bring Edward to you. I am so sorry I did not send advance warning of their arrival, but things are happening so quickly. I know it will be a shock, but I beg of you to look after my darling boy for me. Love him, cherish him, tell him about his mama and how much he was loved by both his parents.

Edward is six. He is kind and loving and intelligent and funny. I know you will provide everything he needs, because I know the kind of man you have grown in to, but I beg you to love him as well. You know as well as I do what it is like to go through childhood without love, and at least we had each other.

I will bid you farewell now and hope one day we will meet again in heaven, and there you can tell me all about my wonderful son.

All my love

Rebecca

For a long moment Tom couldn’t think of anything but his sister’s sunny smile and he felt a searing pain shoot through him at the realisation he would never see her again. It had been twelve years since she’d left. For twelve long years he’d missed his childhood companion, but he’d always imagined one day they would be reunited. As always when he thought of Rebecca he felt a horrible mass of guilt and regret pushing down on him. He had not done the best by his sister, having abandoned her to save his own sanity, and he had never forgiven himself.

He glanced at the boy sleeping in the arm chair, noting the familiar curve to his lips and the shock of dark, curly hair, identical to Rebecca’s when they had been children, impossible to tame.

‘This is Edward?’ It was a wholly unnecessary question, but Tom didn’t know what to say. Never had he imagined he would start the day today with his nephew in the house. A nephew he hadn’t even known existed.

‘This is Edward,’ Alessia said softly.

A kindness radiated from her and Tom could see why his sister had entrusted her son to this woman.

‘The journey has been long, and he is very tired.’

‘You must be tired too. Shall I ask one of the servants to show you upstairs to a bedroom to rest?’

‘I cannot stay.’

‘You’ve only just arrived.’

‘Our journey was plagued by delays.’ She smiled kindly at him. ‘I have been away from my family for a long time already and I need to get back to them.’

‘Do you have children?’

‘Six. They are with their grandmother, but I must return as soon as possible.’